Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1887-07-01
Questions for Candidates.

Mr.. Editor If you will allow small
space of your paper to plain, practical
farmer who is entirely unaccustomed to
writing any kind of an article for publica-
ton, think eau at least give to the farm
ers OF Old Montgomery something to think
about, If not to act upon.
In your last issue there are many names
OF persons anxious to serve their county
and State as lawmakers and legislators
Neither OF these gentlemen have given us
any reason why we should vote for them at
the approaching primaries other than that
they are Democrats and are willing to abide
by the decision OF the party, whatever it
may be at the primary election.
Now, /, as a farmer, and there are many
Others, would like to have some other and
better reason than the one given. | know
some of these gentlemen personally, know
they have ability enough, are not lacking in
moral worth and integrity, as men and citi-
zens, but what OF them as politicians? Will
they be true to themselves and to us? What
is their position upon the, to us, vital ques-
ton of the day, viz; The equalization Of
taxes? l will not occupy your space by
enumerating the many kinds of property
that are not taxed, will only say to the
farmers the horse in his hands is property
and is taxed, but in the hands of the manu-
iacturer he is plant, therefore not property,
or ii 50, not taxable.
The repeal of the collateral inheritance
tax, to so change the law as to allow ad-
ministrators to serve without charge if they
wish to, a different or better law as regards
trustees. The present law, in the opinion
OF many, robs while it is intended to protect
the widow and orphan. Some protection
OF the sheep industry is very much needed.
And last, though not least, do they propose
to make laws for the many, or to so further
complicate them that it will take tive of the
profession to get man through the sim
plest matter of business in which the laws
have to be consulted, instead of one as at
present?
Are they willing to use their best efforts
10 reduce the expenses of county and State
by abolishing sinecure offices as rewards for
party services, and to so regulate that the
remuneration OF the office holder, who works
at best but few hours per day, shall in some
measure compare to ours who have to pay
them, and work from sun to sun and de.
prive ourselves Of many coveted things to
do SO, and keep out of the sheritf's hands
We would like to know which of the as
pirants for seat in the Board of County
Commissioners is opposed to granting every
road petition that is presented and has firm
ness enough Ia oppose the granting of roads,
to be paid for by the whole people, when
they are really only convenences for very
few, who should in all justice pay for them
themselves2 We would like also to know
which of these same gentlemen can give us
good and sufficient reason why the levy
should be made large enough to allow dis
count to those who are able to pay their tax
bills in August or September, while men Of
limited means or the aborer who owns
property anu can't pay at that time, and
who often really needs the small amount,
must pay the full bill. Is IL equal rights or
justice to all Again, if the discount is right
(which we do not think why are not those
who have biiis for road or other work, aud
have very often waited over twelve months
f0r the same, entitled to the discount when
the bills or orders are offered as part or whole
payment of taxes? Give us some other and
better reason than that it will reduce the
collectors percentage
Now, Mr.. Editor, there is very strong
sentiment in this corner OF the county that
it is time To vote more for men and less for
party, and it behooves the asprant for the
position of an humble servant of the dear
people corporations generality "to show his
hand,' for we farmers are at least beginning
to realize that we have those among US that
are able to frame as good, if not better, laws
than the average politician, and that the ex-
penses OF administering the same are borne
principally by Us, for what little we have is
always visible.
AN OLD DEMOCRAT